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Mech Cadet Yu #1

A difficulty for many writers when it comes to miniseries is getting the story started on the right note. This is especially true when the mini-series is introducing a completely new world and property. In Mech Cadet Yu, Greg Pak successfully does what a lot of writers struggle with: introduce us to the protagonist, antagonist, as well as give us a pretty good idea of the world these two inhabit.

From page one, Pak successfully introduces us to a world where Robo Mechs have descended from space, the first bonding with a boy named Skip Tanaka sixty years ago, and helping humanity stave off alien invasion. This is told to the reader by an as of yet unnamed army officer as he is speaking to a class of cadets who are about to get the chance to bond with the new crops of mechs that are about to arrive.

While this necessary bit of exposition is being told, we are introduced to Stanford Yu, a would-be cadet whom we learn is part of the janitorial staff. The divide between the cadets and Stanford is reinforced by his mother, also part of the”help” as one character so bluntly puts it, who explains to him that the cadets can do whatever they want. This does not put our young Stanford at ease though since he so clearly wants to be bonded to a mech. This dream of his is realized a few pages later when he comes across the paneling of one of the mechs that did not make it to the proper landing site. And so, a friendship is born.

On art, Miyazawa, a frequent collaborator of Pak’s, brings to life the world, the people, and the mechs that inhabit it. When reading mecha comics, one of the most important things, in my opinion, from a design standpoint is to ensure that each mech is distinct and Miyazawa is successful in doing so. Another fun aspect of the mechs that Miyazawa has included in his design is a sense of self. I know it may be weird to say that for amounts to a robot, but each mech seemed to jump off the page with their own personality (for the few we have met). Sandford’s mech especially appears and acts almost in a childlike manner which I hope is explored later in the series.

In all, Mech Cadet Yu is a strong first outing for the team of Pak and Miyazawa. They do a great job of introducing us to Stanford’s world. As mecha comics go, this was a pretty fun first outing and I can’t wait to see where they take it from here.